My mistake.
.My revised Bangladesh test X1 would be
Who would you replace with Saqibul? I assume it would have to be Aftab Ahmed, trouble is I think that Saqibul could do with a little bit more First Class experience. At the moment he has only played 13 games with an average of 29. Would prefer to go with Aftab, even though Saqibul has been impressive in ODI's to date. I haven't been able to see Bangladesh play, but I'm sure that will be rectified soon.
I doubt that the selectors would consider dropped Mohammad Ashraful just at the moment, he went back to domestic cricket and scored heavily last time he was dropped. I would be tipping Abdur Razzaq to be starting over Syed Rasel, I doubt they will take the risk of playing 5 bowlers and severely weakening their batting. Will be a tight decision whether or not Javed Omar plays, they may prefer someone younger.My mistake.
Shahriar Nafees
Javed Omar
Rajin Saleh
Habibul Bashar
Saqibal Hasan/Mohammed Ashraful
Aftab Ahmed
Mushfiqur Rahim
Mohammed Rafique
Mashrafe Mortaza
Abdur Razzak/Syed Rasel
Shahadat Hossain
Yeah, Aftab would go. If you haven't seen Saqibul play, I guess I can understand why you wouldn't pick him - but he looks so assured at the crease to me - I'd back him to be their best batsman in the test series against India tbh.Perm said:
I'd back Enamul to play over both of them. Razzak is definitely a good ODI bowler but his test career has been pretty uninspired to date and he's quite similar to Rafique - Haque complements Rafique better and is a more threatening bowler in general. I don't get your point about the 5 bowlers though... neither Razzak or Rasel can bat at all.Perm said:
Well, Tamim doesn't look like he's test class to me from what I've seen. They could possibly go with Mehrab I guess - he was only dropped because of his slow scoring - but I reckon they'll go with Javed with deliberate intentions of providing more experience to the team. I always thought he'd do better with better support too, so I'd definitely play him. The other option is to completely ruin Saqibul and make him open - but I hope they don't do that.Perm said:
While Aftab doesn't have the best test record, I think that if it came down to a straight choice between the two then the selectors may wish to give Aftab more exposure. I will make sure to watch Saqibul closely once the Super 8 stage of the World Cup starts.
I had completely forgotten about Enamul to be honest since he hasn't been around the ODI side, the only test that Abdur Razzaq did play was when the entire Bangladesh attack was being spanked around by Jason Gillespie and Michael Hussey. My point about the 5 bowlers is that the Bangladesh selectors would be unlikely to pick 5 bowlers, for exactly the reason you mentioned. Their batting would be far too weak.
Tamim had made an excellent start to his first class career, scoring a lot of runs and also at a very quick pace. Mehrab Hossain doesn't inspire much confidence in me, could end up with a bit like Nafees Iqbal as an average opener. With young batsman like Nafees, Ashraful and Saqibul/Aftab I think Omar will probably get the nod just for the experience factor. Let's hope they don't take a leaf out of John Bracewell's book.Well, Tamim doesn't look like he's test class to me from what I've seen. They could possibly go with Mehrab I guess - he was only dropped because of his slow scoring - but I reckon they'll go with Javed with deliberate intentions of providing more experience to the team. I always thought he'd do better with better support too, so I'd definitely play him. The other option is to completely ruin Saqibul and make him open - but I hope they don't do that.
I seriously don't see why India would persist with Dinesh Karthik at the top of the order, I know he's been scoring runs but it just unbalances the whole side when you are selecting two wicket keepers. Surely there are better specialist openers around right now.
Open with Gambhir or Chopra, bat Karthik at 7, drop Dhoni. Won't happen, but I'd love to see it.
Sure as hell are right about that, chances are Sehwag will open though. Personally I would have Gambhir and Jaffer opening, with Dhoni at 7, I know Karthik scored runs against South Africa but I also thought Dhoni was quite impressive in the test series.
No Ashraful?
Time to see some youth in that middle order. Preferably for Laxman.
Laxman was just named VC. Ganguly has come back strong. Who would you drop?
Why? So he can score a century against Bangladesh and get owned first ball in England?
Not trying so sound arrogant or over-confident but CAN he score a century against Bangladesh?????